Homelessness is highest in cities with exorbitant rents, but small cities and rural communities are not shielded from the housing crisis. Because rural America lacks many social services, like free clinics, soup kitchens and shelters, the rural homeless often make their way to places like the Water Street Mission. We spoke with several people staying at the Water Street Mission, some of whom were there for the first time and some who had sought refuge there many times before. Levon Higgins, 50, has been staying at Water Street for the last six months : I just couldn’t afford to live where I was. Jennifer Berrie, 45, was staying in an overnight-only shelter before Water Street : I miss little things you don't even think of.

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Persons: James Costello, They’re, ”, you’ve, Tamekia Gibbs, Levon Higgins, It’s, I’ve, Tamekia Gibbs Rob Travis Jackson, Evelyn, You’re, Jennifer Berrie, “, Rob Travis Jackson, that’s, they’ve, Shawna Organizations: Homelessness, Services Locations: America, Lancaster, Pa, Water